How to Make a Classic Rum Daiquiri
Forget what you think you know about daiquiris. The classic Rum Daiquiri isn’t frozen, neon or overly sweet. It’s a clean, citrusy, perfectly balanced cocktail that’s been a bartender favourite for over a century.
Made with just rum, lime and sugar, the daiquiri is proof that less really can be more. When done right, it’s zesty, refreshing and ridiculously satisfying - ideal for warm days, pre-dinner drinks or whenever you feel like pretending you’re in Havana.
Classic Rum Daiquiri Recipe
Ingredients:
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60ml white rum like Stolen White or Bacardi
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25ml fresh lime juice (or bottled lime juice if necessary)
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15ml sugar syrup (1:1 ratio) or agave syrup if you have it
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Ice
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Lime wheel, to garnish (optional). These dehydrated lime slices from Parched are a great option!
Method:
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Add rum, lime juice and sugar syrup to a shaker with plenty of ice.
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Shake hard for about 10 seconds until well chilled.
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Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
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Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, if you're feeling fancy.
Variations to Try
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Hemingway Daiquiri: Add a splash of grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur. A drier, more complex take on the original.
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Spiced Daiquiri: Swap the white rum for a spiced rum like for a warmer, richer twist.
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Strawberry Daiquiri (not frozen): Muddle a couple of strawberries in the shaker before adding your ingredients for a fresh fruit version.
Final Tips
The daiquiri is all about balance. Taste as you go and adjust the lime or syrup if needed. Use fresh lime juice if you can, but bottled lime juice will do at a pinch. And go for a decent white rum that’s crisp and clean, not overly sweet or vanilla-heavy.
This is a cocktail that rewards simplicity. Just three ingredients, shaken with care, and you’ve got one of the most refreshing drinks in the game.
